Hospice
is a philosophy aimed at providing palliative (comfort) care to patients in
their end-of-life stages. To carry out these services, Namaste Comfort Care
utilizes a medically-directed Interdisciplinary Team involving patients, their
families, professionals and volunteers. We believe that a “family” includes
anyone significant to the patient, regardless of blood relation.
The
goals of palliation are comfort, dignity and quality of life. The difference
between this and other treatments designed to cure or control a disease is that
palliative care focuses on the person living with the disease rather than on
the disease itself. People may choose palliation before “all else has failed”
if, in their experience, the burdens of continued curative treatment outweigh
its benefits.
Every
effort is made by the hospice team to provide maximum physical comfort for the
patient. Hospice then focuses on the heads and hearts of those experiencing the
disease process—preparing emotionally and spiritually for death.
Palliative
care does not automatically include nor exclude any specific treatment or
approach. Hospice looks at each difficult symptom—from physical pain to anxiety
and isolation—and outlines options for addressing that symptom. Multiple
choices are always available. Benefits and burdens of each option are
considered, and the patient and family selects the option that feels most
comfortable. Everyone has a right to choose comfort now.
Namaste
Hospice was created by seasoned hospice professionals who are committed to
providing care that exceeds all expectations. We do this without prejudice in
an environment that supports the integrity and dignity of all people, 24 hours
a day, seven days a week.
In
order to be admitted onto hospice, patients must meet the following criteria:
- The
patient has a serious, life-limiting or terminal illness.
- The
burdens of aggressive curative treatment have started to outweigh the benefit
of such treatment.
- The
patient and family have decided that their goal is to maximize comfort and
quality of life.
- The
patient’s primary care physician has certified that the patient is an
appropriate recipient of hospice care.
Hospice
is a benefit of Medicare, Medicaid and most other private insurance programs,
and Namaste Hospice will never turn away a client because of inability to pay
for services. There is usually no out-of-pocket expense for patients and their
families.
